Wednesday, October 04, 2006

PMR examinations from 2 Oct 2006 to 6 October 2006. Some 350 candidates from St Michael's are sitting for the examinations, which assess them on their lower secondary educational capabilities. The final year examination starts on 9 October 2006.

St Michael's is proud to have two of its greatest sons, Aaron Singh and Ban Vin Shen to be accepted to the prestigious Cambridge University, UK.

Aaron, who obtained 9A1 in his SPM and later 4As in hisA-Levels, was admitted in 2005 to the Jesus College to study Medicine while Ban who bagged 11A1 and 1A2 in his SPM and 4 A's at A2, 1 A at AS Level will subsequently enrol at the Christ's College in October 2006.

Aaron pays tribute to St Michael's in offering him the base in the cultivation of values and knowledge that enabled him to get through Cambridge's stringent admission process.

"St Michael's was my second home, and I was fortunate to have many great teachers who passed on the values that cannot be learned from mere textbooks, and later went on to become friends to me," he said.

Aaron said St Michael's vision of LaSallian education not only equips the students with academic credentials needed for life in the working world, but also with the traditional and wholesome education that include vital values like faith, zeal and community.

Ban said SMI has definitely shaped him to become who he is today.

" The process of learning and growing up in SMI is something I will never regret or forget. I like to take this opportunity to thank all my teachers throughout my 11 years at SMI.

"Fellow students and friends from different backgrounds and races have given me the invaluable experience of living in a multi-racial harmony which is rare in other schools especially in vernacular schools," he said.

For the first time, SMI was represented by a six-member team for the Kid Witness News (KWN) organised by Panasonic Malaysia and the PerakEducation Dept. It is a hands-on video education program, involving schools in Perak . We were not picked to represent the state but by participating in the program, it had rendered us invaluable experience and the know-how to attempt again the following year. Best wishes..

Caption: From left - OMA KL Alumni secretary Jeannie Khoo, popular actor and former deejay Patrick Teoh, OMA president Adrian Tsen and an old boy from KL at the dinner.

Silver jubilarians were honoured at the event.

Versatile and multi-skilled master Timothy Chee and SMI administrators at the luncheon hosted by OMA KL Alumni president Dr Chin Yoong Kheong, an accountant and partner of KPMG.

Sept 23, 2006

It is said rain brings forth tremendous blesssings to man. This rings true for the community of St Michael's Institution when the visit by its old boys was greeted not only by the sounds of cymbals and drums by the members of the Michaelian Military Band but by a slight drizzle which brought along drops of good tidings to the alma mater.

Led by the president of OMA KL Alumni, Dr Chin, some 24 members walked down memory lane together with their spouses and children. Many had not stepped into the school compound ever since they left school 30 years ago. The atmosphere generated by the students in the classsrooms brought back sweet and gratifying feelings, taking them back to the era when they were in school. Many were seen sharing with their children the places and experiences they encountered during their student days.

The old boys also contributed a sum of RM100,000 towards the St Michael's primary school building, a noble and heart-warming gesture which had definitely won our accolade and salutation.

After spending some two hours with the present student leaders, inspiring them on the challenges ahead, they proceeded to meet the present and past teachers.

The dinner, in its 68th years, held at the Red Crescent Hall, was a tremendous success. It was attended by some 600 old boys who testified that the reunion was not merely about food and drinks but more to rekindling of friendship and strengtening the human bonding.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

A tinge of sadness was felt by the prefects from the afternoon session as they bade farewell to their head boy Chan Kok Weng at the Syuen Hotel today, Aug 5. Chan will be joining the academically elite at the United International College in Singapore on Wednesday. It will be a tough time for Chan as he journeys to a foreign land, with new challenges and a period of adjustments. Nevertheless, we wish him well. Perseverance and patience pay!Teachers, students and the prefects are going to miss him dearly.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

July 2006 -- After more than 20 years, Michael Fernando (third from left) returned to his alma mater, recalling such sweet memories he had when he was here from Standard One until 1982, when he left to further his studies in Universiti Malaya.An accountant at a well-established company in Seri Iskandar, Fernando remembers vividly how the Brothers and his teachers instilled sound discipline in the students and how they responded with open hearts. Through them, he said, how characters were developed and how they viewed life in a more positive perspectives. Brother Ultan Paul was the director then.

Graham Katz, from Berlin, Germany, was an exchange student under the AFS programme who was here between 1981 and 1982 for his Form Six. He was a great athletic, spending most of his time on the school field and the Ipoh Padang.

"Nothing has changed much. The majestic and grand building of St Michael's still stands proudly, reflecting the spirit and charisma of the LaSalle heritage". Katz remembers one feature of the school and had an impact of him when he was here -- the Science laboratory, which he described as unique, outstanding and cosy.

Fernando's daughter is Laura, is a Year Five pupil in Marian Convent.Taking them around the school was teacher Brindes Lawrence, an adviser of the Michaelian Catholic Society.

Note: Old Michaelians are encouraged to visit our alma mater as I believe bonding and networking with the current administrators and teachers must go on to solidify our LaSallian roots.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame St. Michael’s Institution, Ipoh, marks its 45th year of drama tradition with the staging of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Aiming to entertain a more youthful audience, this play freely adapts Walt Disney’s lighter tone version.The story is set in 15th century Paris, where Clopin the puppeteer tells the story of Quasimodo, the misshapen gentle-soul bell ringer of Notre Dame, who was nearly killed as a baby by Judge Frollo, the Minister of Justice. But Judge Frollo was forced to raise Quasimodo as his own. Now a young man, Quasimodo is hidden from the world by Judge Frollo in the bell tower of Notre Dame. But during the Festival of Fools, Quasimodo, cheered on by his gargoyle friends Victor, Hugo, and Laverne, decides to take part in the festivities, where he meets the lively gypsy girl Esmeralda and the handsome Captain of the Guards, Phoebus. The three of them find themselves ranged against Frollo's cruelty and his attempts to destroy the home of the gypsies, the Court of Miracles.Much can be learnt from the message of the play. Firstly, is on unconditional friendship and secondly, on the importance of discovering a person’s inner beauty.The Hunchback of Notre Dame is directed by Corrinne Mah and the music director is Ling Lidi. The Principal of St. Michael’s Institution, Mr Phoon Chong Chee, together with the staff of the school contributed to the success of putting up this play. This play too gains strong support from the Old Michaelian Association chaired by Mr. Adrian Tsen.27 talented students, mainly 6th formers, head the cast. 12 musicians provide the musical elements of this performance. The production team consisting of stage crew, AVA Team, artists, wardrobe assistants and make up assistants, too play a crucial role in this production.Besides continuing the school’s grand drama tradition, the production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame hopes to raise funds for the renovation of the school’s main block roof.The performance will be staged on 18, 19 and 20 of August. Tickets are priced at RM 20 and RM 50. For further information, please contact 05- 2540418.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Names of candidates who passed the prefects’ competency test held on 6 July 2006. Interviews will be held next week, after which, successful candidates will be appointed as probationary prefects. Congratulations!

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Well done! Principal Mr Phoon Chong Chee(fifth from left), Tn Hj Tauhid Ahmad and prefects We are the Champions!

To be awarded the prestigious five-star status by the Perak EducationDepartment in June 2006, St Michael's Institution bears strong testimony that it is truly a remarkable, excellent and world-class school.

The esteemed, gold-coloured award, held annually by the authorities, measures five main elements, which actually define the making of an excellent school.

Besides being able to produce an immaculate working culture, strong leadership and outstanding school community, the school ethos, rich tradition and safe school environment have indeed created a deep impression in the officials who came to assess the school.

In 2004, SMI was accorded a four-star status.

Well done to the school administrators, the La Salle brothers, teachers, students, parents, the Board of Governors under the able leadership of Dato' Seri Lee Oi Hian, Old Michaelians Association under the stewardship of Adrian Tsen.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Been very busy attending to school matters these few weeks. Candidates for new prefects have been selected by the respective class teachers. Ninety students of good leadership skills and sharp in judgments, with good communicative skills and neat in appearance sat for the prefect's competency test today. (The test was the first being introduced in St Michael's). It consists of questions about the school history, current developments and all things St Michael's.They have to undergo an interview by a panel of teachers before being elected as probationary prefects.

Generally, students' discipline is well under control, with cases being referred by fellow students and teachers who need assistance in solving some complicated cases. Teachers and prefects alike work hard to ensure orderliness. But what's important is a sense of responsibilities in the students to ensure rules are followed.

Paid a visit to the La Salle Centre and managed to talk to Brother Vincent Corkery and Brother Matthew Bay. Feel that Michaelians near and far should, once in a while, pay them a visit, encourage and support them in their beautiful work towards the La Sallian cause. Their warm presence and deep commitment over the decades have indeed touched many hearts.

Thursday, June 01, 2006

Pupils of the Ipoh's St Michael's Primary school were greatly thrilled when two very prominent figures -- La Salle Brother Vincent Corkery and Old Michaelian Association president Mr Adrian Tsen stopped by to greet the young Michaelians and wished them well before they sat for their mid-year examinations. Both were on their way to the construction site, located just behind the current school premises, where works of a new school block are in progress. Built at a cost of RM3.5 million, the 4-storey building will replace the dilapidated and termite-infested primary school block which has stood the test of time for the past 40 years. Scheduled to be completed early 2007, the new block, "Brother U Paul Memorial", merges Primary One and Two -- to be named as SK St Michael, Ipoh.

This is a shot taken on 30 May 2006 at 9.30am at the Kota Bahru Market. Surprisingly, the market was not crowded as anticipated, despite being the school holiday. The market surrounding is much cleaner now.Pix by Peter Khiew, with Nikon Coolpix 4500.

It was a time to unwind with my family. We visited Kota Bahru, Pengkalan Pegoh and Tumpat, a small town at the tip of the Kelantan state. Stayed at Flora Transit, a newly-refurbished hotel located very near shopping outlets and eateries. We were there from 29 May 2006 to 31 May 2006. A memorable and rejuvenating trip - esp visits to a few museums in town.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

A PERSON OF CHARACTER

CHARACTER COUNTS !

A person of character ;

Is a good person, someone to look up to and admire.Knows the difference between right and wrong and always tries to do what is right.Sets a good example for everyone.Makes the world a better place.Lives according to the “Six Pillars of Character”

DO:Stand up for your beliefsFollow your conscienceBe honorable and uprightLive by your principles no matter what others sayHave the courage to do what is right and to try new things even when it is hard, costlyBuild and guard your reputation

DON’T:Do anything wrongLose heart if you fail or don’t get what you want

DO:Tell the truth and nothing but the truthBe sincereBe forthright and candid

DON’T:Lie, Cheat, Steal, Be sneaky, tricky, or deceptive

DO:Keep your promisesHonor your word and commitmentsBe dependableDo what you are supposed to doReturn what you borrowPay your debtsBe on time

DO:Stand by and protect your family, friends, school and countryBe a good friendLook out for those who care about youKeep secrets of those who trust you

DON’T:Betray a trustLet your friends hurt themselvesDo anything just so others will like youAsk a friend to do anything wrong or spread gossip that could hurt others

RESPECT

DO:Treat others the way you want to be treatedRespect the dignity, privacy and freedom of all individualsValue and honor all people, no matter what they can do for you or to youRespect others’ property — take good care of property you are allowed to use and don’t take or use property without permissionRespect the autonomy of others — tell them what they should know to make good choices about their own lives

DON’T:Use or manipulate others l Abuse, demean, or mistreat anyone

DO:Judge others on their character, abilities, and conduct without regard to race, religion, gender, where they live, how they dress, or the amount of money they haveBe tolerant, respectful, and accepting of those who are different from youListen to others and try to understand their points of view

DON’T:Use threats or physical force to get what you want or to express anger

DO:Use good manners l Be courteous, polite and civil to everyone

DON’T:Use put-downs, insults or ridicule to embarrass or hurt others.RESPONSIBILITY

DO:Know and do your dutyAcknowledge and meet your legal and moral obligations

DO:Accept responsibility for the consequences of your choices, not only for what you do but what you don’t doThink about consequences on yourself and others before you actThink long-termDo what you can do to make things betterSet a good example

DON’T:Look the other way when you can make a difference l Make excuses or blame others

DO:Your bestPersevereDon’t quitBe preparedBe diligentWork hardMake all you do worthy of pride

DO:Take charge of your own lifeSet realistic goalsKeep a positive outlookBe prudent and self-disciplined with your health, emotions, time and moneyBe rational — act out of reason not anger, revenge or fear l Know the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to doBe self-reliant — manage your life so you are not dependent on others; pay your own way whenever you can

FAIRNESS

DO:Be fair and justTreat people equallyMake decisions without favoritism or prejudiceIn imposing punishment be sure the consequences for wrongdoing are consistent, certain, and proportional (not too harsh or lenient)

DON’T:Take more than your fair shareTake advantage of or blame others unfairly

DO:Be open-minded and impartial — consider what people have to say before you decideBe careful — get the facts, including opposing viewpoints, before making decisions (especially blaming or accusing another)

CARING

DO:Be compassionate and empatheticBe kind, loving, and considerateBe thankful and express gratitude for what people do for youForgive others for their shortcomings

DON’T:Be mean, cruel or insensitive

DO:Be charitable and altruistic — give money, time, support, comfort without strings for the sake of making someone else’s life better, not for praise or gratitudeHelp people in need

CITIZENSHIP

DO:Be a good citizen and a good neighbor l Care about and pursue the common goodBe a volunteer — help your school and community be better, cleaner, and saferProtect the environment by conserving resources, reducing pollution, and cleaning upafter yourselfParticipate in making things better by voicing your opinion, voting, serving on committees, reporting wrongdoing and paying taxes

DO:Play by the rulesObey parents, teachers, coaches, and others who have been given authorityObserve just lawsHonor and respect principles of democracy

1. Thou Shalt Be Thyself. Good Manners begin with a good sense of self. Unless you are true to yourself, you can never be true to others. You are unique. Don't try to shape your personality to meet circumstances. Be natural, and the world will respect you for what you are.

2. Thou Shalt Say "Thank You." Thanking others is a way of praising them and is one of the keys to having good manners. Send thank-you notes whenever someone does something nice for you, or telephone to express your gratitude. This simple act will help build lasting relationships. When someone gives you a compliment, the best response is a simple "thank you." And don't forget "Please," "Excuse me," and "You're welcome," which are other marks of good manners.

3. Thou Shalt Give Compliments. A fundamental rule of good manners is to give. Think about what you can give to others, and remember that the most precious gifts cost nothing. When you meet someone, you can always think of a genuine compliment to give. A "Hello" or "How are you?" is not enough. You can also give your undivided attention and interest to others. You can be generous with words of praise, warm greetings, sympathy, love, or other good news.

4. Thou Shalt Not be Boastful, Arrogant or Loud. Always exercise restraint and good taste. Your voice, your behavior and even your clothing should reflect understated elegance. Only a small person brags about accomplishments; a well-mannered person has no need for self-advertisement. Let your deeds speak for themselves.

5. Thou Shalt Listen Before Speaking. Respect for others is a prerequisite of good manners. Listening to others is a way to show respect. There is no worse company than a person that does not listen. Be genuinely interested in others; learn their names, and encourage them to talk about themselves. Never interrupt. Look them in the eye, and listen carefully. The listener learns and thereby gains.

6. Thou Shalt Speak with Kindness and Caution. Before speaking to others, consider what effect your words will have. Pause and weigh your words carefully and say them with a quality of softness. A slip of the tongue can inflict needless hurt. Also, remember the language of the body (your posture and your mannerisms) is as important as the language of words.

7. Thou Shalt Not Criticize or Complain. A person with good manners is above criticizing others or complaining about circumstances. Negativity is any form is to be avoided. If you hear gossip, don't join in, be indifferent to it. If you disagree with others, do so respectfully. Don't verbally attack or condemn them. You may win the argument, but lose a valued friend.

8. Thou Shalt Be Punctual. Appreciate the value of time, yours and others. If you make an appointment, arrive on time. If you must be late, call first. Never arrive early for a social engagement; your host may still be getting dressed! Don't overstay your welcome. Lingering good-byes merely cause frustration and can ruin an otherwise good time. A quick, simple exit at the proper time is usually appreciated.

9. Thou Shalt Not Embarrass Others. Treat others as you would like to be treated, and think of how you can put them at ease. The feelings of other people can be as fragile as fine crystal. Never demean anyone with rude jokes or an unwelcome nickname. Be considerate. In conversation, never ask embarrassing questions such as how much was paid for a new item or about matters of th heart. It's always good manners to think of others first.

10. Thou Shalt Act and Look Your Best. A gracious friend is never ruffled. Be a calming, happy influence in any stressful situation and maintain your composure. See humor whenever possible. Master self-control and have empathy for others. Always act your best with courtesy and politeness. Each day dress as if it were your only chance to shine. A smile should top your list of accessories. Your home, car and workplace should reflect your best. They should be tidy, neat and well organized. Table manners are important. Observe rules of proper conduct, such as not speaking with food in your mouth and not eating until the host has been seated. Eat slowly, enjoying each bite. Savor the moments when good friends, good conversation and good manners bring about the best life has to offer.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3. RESPECT, DISCIPLINE, ORDER - That's what we advocate at St Michael's Ipoh.

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OUR ILLUSTRIOUS ALMA MATER

SMI THEME 2016 “EMPOWERING VALUES, STRENGTHENING TRADITION”

We aspire to establish a school community characterised by the importance of our values and tradition, emphasizing on personal relationships, character formation and personal integrity.

At St Michael’s Institution, we guide and empower our students to be well-mannered individuals, give proper respect to other people and to foster a school experience which is truly of La Sallian tradition.

We are responsible to teach students about honesty, responsibility, discipline and other important traits that make them upstanding citizens.

SMI Theme 2015 Harnessing Potential, Nurturing Character

Michaelians recognise our own strengths, skills and interests. Harnessing your potentials requires you to get to know yourself – what inspires you, what moves you and what you really love doing so that you can pursue your dreams in life. Similarly, nurturing of these virtues and characters – trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship is instrumental to produce competent, wholesome and compassionate adults

THEME 2014 :ONWARD MICHAELIANS UNITED & TRUE

As Michaelians, we are strong when we are united and true. United means we do not stand alone, we stand together. We learn to do within our class, where we make sure no one is left out or left behind. To have strong class spirit, we make sure everyone is part of the group. In this way we are not only UNITED but also TRUE, true to our ourselves and true to each other.

A Century Of Faith, Service & Community

The School Rally - It Unites Michaelians

All through our College a voice is resounding,Promptly respond to your duty's sweet call.Hearken you all for the trumpet is sounding,Your Mater's proclaiming her watchword to all.

Forward, her children dear,Ever with hearts sincere,Render with joy to your Mater her due;All that is vile reject;

Heaven will e'er protect,Sons of St. Michael's

Valiant and true.

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CHERISHING OUR PAST - REMEMBERING OUR BROTHERS

The Visit Of The Honorable Bro. Nicet-Joseph, Superior General of The Brothers To SMI on July 1, 1962, Golden Jubilee of SMI. To remember his visit, the Nicet Joseph Medal for the Michaelian of the Year was awarded for the first time in 1962.